NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) -
Officials are looking into options for more traffic safety in the area where a car slammed into the front of a Bellevue home last week.
Over the past two decades, both Metro Public Works and the Tennessee Department of Transportation have surveyed the area and made several changes.
But after the latest crash, and when Channel 4 started asking questions, they're going to reconsider one more option.
Don Walker is at his wit's end.
"To tell you the truth I'm just numb," he said. "I'm ready to abandon ship almost."
Walker can't seem to keep cars out of his home.
"I don't think I could go through another one," he said.
According to Walker and his neighbor, last week's crash, in the 7400 block of Highway 70 South near the intersection with Bellevue Road, was the 17th time a car has left the road and slammed into a home in the area.
Over the years, the city and state have made several changes, including adding a flashing red light and posting various caution signs nearby.
But, neighbors are adamant that more needs to be done. They said they want a stop light and ripple strips to physically help bring drivers to a stop.
Walker said he and his neighbors have pleaded with council members and city officials, and it turns out public works has completed several traffic studies in the last 20 years.
But, each time the department determined a traffic light wasn't warranted and didn't meet their requirements
"Typically, you put a traffic signal at intersections where there are four separate approaches, and of course this is a classic 'T' intersection where one dead-ends into another," said Gwen Hopkins, with Metro Public Works.
But now that Channel 4 brought these latest concerns to their attention, public works has agreed to check again.
"We will take another look at it and see if it's warranted," Hopkins said.
This time, Walker is hoping for life-saving results.
"This is just brick and stone. It can be, well, it has been put back several times. But if somebody gets injured or loses their life, it's just unacceptable," he said.
In the immediate future, public works will add even more paint and directional arrows nearby, and they're also considering more flashing lights and speed limit signs.
Copyright WSMV 2012 (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.
